Luther
Luther is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Famous warrior or army of the people.
Origin and history
Luther is a traditional Germanic name that originally derived from elements meaning 'people' and 'army'. It gained widespread usage in the Western world following the Protestant Reformation, inspired by theologian Martin Luther. In the United States, it was a classic top-100 name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remains a well-known vintage choice.
Popularity in the United States
66,986 babies in the United States have been named Luther since 1880. It ranks #418 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1257.
States where it is most popular
- NC (9.4 %)
- TX (8.1 %)
- GA (7.9 %)
- SC (6.6 %)
- AL (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 2,619 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,668 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,866 |
| 1910-1920 | 9,762 |
| 1920-1930 | 13,197 |
| 1930-1940 | 8,860 |
| 1940-1950 | 8,141 |
| 1950-1960 | 6,479 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,069 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,615 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,934 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,233 |
| 2000-2010 | 870 |
| 2010-2019 | 958 |
| 2020-2029 | 715 |
Famous people named Luther
- Luther Vandross: Singer, Songwriter
- Luther Burbank: Botanist, Horticulturist
Fun facts
- The surname became a popular given name in honor of Martin Luther, who initiated the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
- It was given as a middle name turned primary identifier for iconic American leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and his father.